A poll published in the Los Angeles Times purporting to find public opposition
to a proposed state campaign finance reform initiative was poorly worded
and cannot be used as a proper gauge of public sentiment toward the initiative,
says a Washington-based public policy organization. Previous polling with
clearly stated questions, on the other hand, indicates overwhelming support
for the initiative.

The Campaign Reform Initiative, which is expected to appear on the June,
1998 California primary ballot, will: 1) prohibit political contributions
from foreigners; 2) prohibit employers from making automatic payroll deductions
for political purposes without the written authorization of an employee;
and 3) prohibit labor unions from using member dues for political purposes
without the written authorization of the member.

Opposition found by the Times October 15 is in sharp contrast to a poll
conducted in March, 1997 by Arnold Steinberg & Associates. That poll,
which found very strong support for the Campaign Reform Initiative, contained
a very descriptive line of questioning that could not be mistaken. To compare:

Times Poll (1396 polled): "Would you vote for or against an
initiative that would require union members to approve part of their dues
to be used for political purposes?"

Results: vote for 33% vote against 59% don't know
8%

Steinberg & Associates (800 polled): "Unions make political
contributions with money deducted from a union member's paycheck. This
ballot initiative would require an employer to receive written authorization
from a union member before making such a deduction for a political contribution.
Thinking about this information, would you . . ."

Results: vote for 75.9% vote against 20.3% don't
know 3.9%

"The question the L.A. Times used to measure support for the Campaign
Reform Initiative could easily be read as strengthening the current system
where union dues are used for political purposes without giving members
a choice in how it is spent," said David W. Almasi, Director of Publications
and Media Relations for The National Center for Public Policy Research.
"When people are informed of this practice and given an alternative,
as the Steinberg & Associates poll did, public support swings strongly
in favor of the Initiative."

"Many people who support the Campaign Reform Initiative were probably
recorded in that poll as opposing it because of the poor wording of the
question," said National Center President Amy Ridenour. "Considering
the shocking difference between wording and results of the two polls, there
is no reason to consider what the Times found to be the true feelings of
the people."